Overview
"First Course" is a crucial jazz album by American guitar player Lee Ritenour, launched in 1976. This album represents the launching of Ritenour as a solo artist after years of being one of the leading session guitar players in Los Angeles, working together with numerous renowned artists. Showcasing a mix of jazz, funk, and pop, this album highlights Ritenour's capability not only as a remarkable guitarist but also as a composer, arranger, and manufacturer. The album includes eight tracks, with contributions from a few of the leading session artists of that time, making it a real showcase of skill from the LA music scene in the mid-1970s.
Background
Lee Ritenour, nicknamed "Captain Fingers" due to his virtuoso guitar playing abilities, began his expert profession at the age of 16, tape-recording his extremely first session with The Mamas & The Papas. He rapidly turned into one of the most in-demand session guitar players in Los Angeles, working with the likes of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, and Quincy Jones prior to venturing out with his first solo album. Although only 24 at the time, Ritenour had actually already established a track record as a top-tier guitarist due to his flexibility in various music categories and an apparent passion for pushing the boundaries of what might be attained with a guitar.
Style & Influences
Ritenour's "First Course" album is mostly rooted in jazz and combination, including elements of funk and pop, showcasing his ability to be versatile within these designs. To create an abundant and dynamic sound, the album includes a mix of electrical and acoustic guitars, keyboards, horns, rhythm sections, and percussion. Surprisingly, Ritenour likewise includes making use of a sitar in the track "Feel Like Makin' Love", showing his interest in try out different instruments and sounds.
The album admires Ritenour's significant influences, such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Larry Carlton, while still maintaining an unique and distinctively individual sound. This is accomplished through complex arrangements and the melodic interaction in between Ritenour and the contributing musicians, all of whom were seasoned specialists in their own right.
Track Listing & Collaborators
"First Course" includes eight tracks:
1. "A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That"
2. "Hey, I Don't Know You"
3. "Sweet Syncopation"
4. "Got ta Get It Together"
5. "Wild Rice"
6. "Feel Like Makin' Love"
7. "The Spark of Life"
8. "Chanson".
Signing up with Ritenour on the album are notable musicians such as Ernie Watts (saxophone), Dave Grusin (piano and synthesizer), Patrice Rushen (electric piano), Joe Sample (clavinet), Larry Carlton (guitar), Harvey Mason (drums), and Ray Parker Jr. (guitar). These cooperations bring a different and unique taste to each track, with each musician leaving their own mark on the album.
Tradition & Reception
As a launching album that successfully introduced Ritenour's career as a solo artist, "First Course" got rave reviews from critics, citing both the quality of musicianship and the innovative method to genre-blending. This task would eventually result in a longstanding and successful solo profession for Ritenour, who would go on to launch more than 30 albums over the next four decades. "First Course" is now considered a timeless on the planet of crucial jazz and combination, gaining a devoted fan base that has actually continued to value and enjoy Ritenour's guitar expertise and unique soundscapes.
Artist: Lee Ritenour
Lee Ritenour. Learn about his journey from session musician to Grammy-winning artist in our bio.
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